Hsp22 (HSPB8) is a 196-amino acid protein that contains a central portion homologous to a highly conserved HSP-alpha crystallin domain common to all the small heat shock protein (HSP20) family members. Hsp22 is a monomeric protein which interacts with HSPB1. It displays temperature-dependent chaperone activity. The highest abundance of Hsp22 is in skeletal muscle, heart, and placenta. Mutations in the HSPB8 gene are associated with the inherited peripheral neuropathies, autosomal dominant distal hereditary motor neuropathy type IIA (dSMA) and axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2L (CMT2L).